Temperature indicator for automobiles



Jan. 11 1927.

C. A. DUNHAM TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR AUTOMOBILES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed August 25. '1921 Irufe 111 Cu Amid/N0 M Wrfl cine Jan. 11 1927.

1,613,745 0. A. DUNHAM TEMPERATURE INDICATORFOR AUTOMOBILES 2 Sheets-Sheet? Filed August 25 1921 Patented Jan. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES,

OLAYTON AQDUNHAM, OF GLENCOE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO DUNI-IAMETER CORPORA- PATENT OFFICE.

TION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TEMI'EEATURE INDICATOR FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Application filed August 25, 1921. Serial No. 495,372..

My invention relates to temperature indi cators for automobiles, and has for its object the provision of a new and improved form of mechanism which shall operate with a high degree of certainty, and which shall indicate very plainly and clearly when the temperature reaches a danger point. The preferred means by which I have accomplished my object is illustrated in the drawings, and is hereinafter specifically described.

That which I believe to be new and desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the claims. I In the drawings Fig. 1 is a rear view of my improved device;

taken substantially at line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the movable indicating plaque and certain of'its operating arts; p Fig. 4: is a front view of the parts shown in Fig. 3 and mounted in operative position, as seen at line 4i of Fig. 2, a changed position of the indicating plaque being shown by dotted lines.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the parts shown in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a rear view of the indicating plaque.

Referring to the several figures of the drawings, in which corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference characters, 10 indicates a cap adapted to be secured by meam of screw threads upon the filling spout of an automobile radiator. The cap 10 is preferably formed by casting, having formed with it upon its front face a spout 11 by which wateris introduced into the radiator, the upper end of the spout 11 being closed by means ofa screw threaded cap 12. In the construction shown, a set screw 13 is provided in one -'ide wall'of the cap 10 and accessible through the opening of the spout 11 for locking the cap 10 in position upon the filling spout of the radiator. As is shown in Fig. 2, the head of the screw 13 is enclosed within a recess 13 provided by a surrounding flange, whereby a special key is required for turning the screw, provision against theft being thus efi' cted.

In the construction shown, the cap 10 is proyided on its interior with a downwardly Fig. 2 is a central vertical section, beingextending sleeve 14, the lower end of which is interiorly screw-threaded to receive and hold a plate 15 which is provided at its center point with an upwardly opening cup 16. v

The plate 15 is provided upon its upper face with an annular flange 17 which serves as the means for attaching to the plate 15, a

deeply grooved drum 18 which is formed of sheet metal, the horizontal portions of the drum provlded by the grooves being corru gated, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2. The

lower end of the drum l8 is preferably sweated upon the outer face of the flange 17. The upper end of the drum is closed by a plate 19, sweated within the upper end of the drum. It is thus seen that the drum 18 will be readily understood, as the drum l8 expands or contracts, the rod 23 will be given a vertical movement with respect to the hood 20 and the housing 21. The cup 16 and the drum 18 are designed to contain a small quantity of highly volatile liquid, adapted to volatilize at a slightly lower temperature than that of steam. As will be readily understood, when the water in the radiator becomes heated so as to form steam, the steam will be brought into contact with the lower face of the cup 16, serving to cause the liquid in the cup 16 to volatilize almost instantly and causing the drum 18 to expand upwardly by reason of the gas pressure, causing a corresponding upward movement of the rod 23. In order to insure the almost instantaneous flashing of the volatile liquid into gaseous form when the steam contacts the cup 16, I exhaust the air from the drum above the liquid. This expedient of inserting the volatile liquid into the drum in vacuuo also serves to insure the drum being normally in its contracted condition in marked contrast to the expanded condition under the influence of steam as above der e The housing 21 is to be iven any desirable form, the form shown heing'that of an eagle with wings spread. As is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the rear face of the housing 21 is provided with a removable plate 24; which is provided on its central part with a less plate 25 filling the sight opening of t e device. As is best shown in Fig. 4:, a plaque 26 is revolubly mounted upon the plate 2st at one side of the glass 25, being mounted revolubly in position by means of a pin or screw 27. As is best shown in Fig. 6, the lower portion of the plaque 26 is colored red upon its rear face. The upper portion is colored with a white or gray luminous paint. The arrangement is such that when the plaque 26 stands at one limit of its motion upon the screw 27, the red portion of the plaque is visible through the glass 25,

and when the plaque stands at the other limit of its motion the white portion is visible. For holding the plaque 26 yieldingly at one or the other of the limits of its motion about the screw 27, I have provided a spring 28 which extends between an ear 29 formed upon one side of the plaque 26 and a pin or screw 30 carried by the plate 2 1, the arrangement being such that the spring 28 holds the plaque 26 alternatively in either one of its past center positions with respect to the line of centers defined by the pins 30 and 27.

The plaque 26-is' operatively connected with the rod 23 for operation thereby through the medium of a pin 31 extending from the front face of the plaque 26. The upper end of the rod 23 has mounted thereon a loop member 32, the lower end of the loop being adapted to be in engagement with the pin 31 when the rod 23 is in its lowered-position, and the'upper end of the loop being adapted to be in contact with the pin 31 when the rod 23 is in its raised position, as is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4:. As will be readily understood, asthe rod 23 rises from the position shown in Fig. 3, the pin 31 will be moved upward by the loop member 32. When the pin 31 passes the line of centers defined by the pin 30 and the pin- 27, the spring 28 will serve to flip the plaque 26 quickly into its alternative position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, serving to move the white upper end of-the plaque out of the sight opening, and to shift the red lower end of the plaque into position opposite the glass 25. The operator of the automobile is thus warned of the changed conditionythe arrangement being such that the pin 31 is brought to the line of centers so as to permit the movement by the spring 28 at just the moment when the heat of the engine is becoming dangerously great. When the rod 23 is then moved downward by reason of the contraction of the drum 18 due to a decrease in the degree of heat of the engine,

the pin 31 will be moved downwardly by the loop member. 32, so as to permit the spring 28 to move the plaque 26 again to its normal position with the white portion of the plaque opposite the glass 25, in lieu of the red portion as above described.

I have shown the loop member 32 as being of a length to provide considerable play for the pin 31 therein. It will be understood that I do not wish to limit myself to any particular degree of play, it being sufficient that the vplaque 26 be given a quick movement into position to hide the white portion of the plaque, and to bring the red portion into view. I have found in practice that the action of the drum is very quick and positive in both its expansion and its contraction so as to cause a sudden movement of the plaque even without the use of a spring. Accordingly, while I prefer to use the spring 28 it will be undestood that I do not wish to be limited in this respect except as hereinafter specifically claimed.

By covering the upper end of the plaque with white luminous paint, I have provided an arrangement which is just as effective for night driving as for use in the, day-time. When driving at night, if the spot of light disappears from view, the driver will know that it is because'the plaque has been shifted so as to bring the luminous facing portion into position opposite the wall of the housing 21 which serves as a covering shield, the

,driver being thus informed that the heat of the engine is becoming excessive.

By m constructlon I have rovided a .V 1 quick, posltive movement of the indlcatlng loo means, so as to give aprompt warning when conditions have changed so as to make such warning desirable. Ihave found in practice that the expansion of the drum takes place almost instantaneously upon the application. of steam to the cup 16, and that contraction takes place almost as quickly upon adrop of one and a half degrees in the temperature.

It will be obvious that modifications of various kinds may be made in the constructionand arrangement without departing.

from the spirit of my invention. I do not therefore limit myself to the details as above set forth except in so far as they are specifically claimed hereinafter.

I claim: I I

1. A temperature indicator for automobile radiators comprising a closed container having therein a volatile liquid and indicating means adapted to be actuated to give an indiration, through volatilization of said liquid, on rise of temperature to a determinate point, said indicating means being immobile at temperatures below and above said determinate temperature.

2. A temperature indicator comprising a' closed expansible container having therein a volatile liquid, and indicating means adapted to be actuated to give an indication,

through expansion of said container, on rise two distinct indicating positions easily distinguishable from one another at a distance, and means interposed between said thermostatic element and said indicating means, adapted at a predetermined point in the action of said thermostatic element, to give said indicating means a quick movement.

from one indicating position to the other.

4. A temperature indicator for automobiles, comprising a thermostatic element in position to be affected by the heat of the engine, movable indicating means, resilient means tending to hold said indicating means alternatively at opposite limits of its motion, and means interposed between said thcrmostatlc element and said indicating means adapted upon the expansion ofthe thermostatic element to a glven degree to give said indicating means a quick movement from one to the other of its limits of motion. 5. A temperature indicator for automobiles, comprising a thermostatic element in position to be affected by the heat of the engine, indicating means, and a rod interposed between said thermostatic element and said indicating means, and having a lost motion conneetionavith one of the aforesaid means adapted by a movement longitudinally upon the expansion of said thermostatic element to a predetermined degree to give said indicating means an operative movement.

6. A temperature indicator for automobiles, comprising a thermostatic element in position to be affected by the heat of the engine, movable indicating means, a spring tending to hold said indicating means alternatively at opposite'limits of its motion, and a rod adapted to be moved longitudinally by the expansion of said thermostatic element for moving said indicating means from one to the other of itshmits of motion.

7. A temperature llldlCZltOI.

ing means a quick movement to the limit of its motion in one direction.

. for automo biles, eomprlslng an expanslble drum in po- 8. A temperature indicator for automobiles, comprising a circumferentially grooved drum readily expansible longitudinally, in position to be affected by the heat of the engine, a volatile fluid in said drum, a revolubly mounted indicating plate, and means interposed between said drum'and said plate adapted at a predetermined point in the expansion of said drum to give said plate'a quick movement from one to another of its indicating positions.

9. A ten'iperature indicator for automobiles, comprising a cir-cumferentlally grooved drum readily expansible longitudinally, in position to be affected by the heat of the engine, a volatile fluid in said drum,

a revolubly mounted indicating plate, and means comprising a rod interposed between said drum and said plate adapted at a predetermined point in'the expansion of said drum to give said plate a quick movement from one to the other-of the limits of its motion.

10.'A temperature indicator for automobiles, comprising a circumferentially grooved drum readil expansible longitudinally, in position to b of the engine, a volatile fluid in said drum, a revolubly mounted indicating plate, resilient means for holding said revoluble plate alternatively at the limits of its motion in opposite. directions about its axis, and means interposed between said drum anl said plate, adapted at a predetermined point in the expansion of the drum to give said plate a quick movement from one to the other of the limits of its motion.

11. A temperature indicator for automobiles, comprising a circumferentially grooved drum readily expansible longitudinally, in position to be affected by the heat between said rod and said revoluble indi-.

cating plate, and a spring adapted to give said plate a quick movement from one to another of its indicating positions when said rod has moved the plate out of a past-center locked, position with respect to said spring.

12. Atemperature indicator for automobiles comprising a part having a sight opening therein, a multi-coloured indicating device adapted 'to be moved past said sight opening for showing the several colours alternatively at said opening and means controlled by theheat of the engine for giving said indicating device an'operative movement at a determinate temperature, said indicating device being'immobile at temperatures above and below said determinate temperature. I 4

13. A temperature indicator for automov ing therein, a multi-coloured indicating de- 'nal device directly from one fixed vice adapted to be moved, past said sight opening for showing the several colours alternatively at said opening, means controlled by the heat of the engine for giving said indicating means an operative movement at a predetermined maximum temperature, and yielding means for giving said in-' dicating means an excess movement at each actuation in either direction beyond that induced by the temperature-controlled means.

14. A. temperature indicator for automobiles comprising a part having a sight opening therein, a multi-coloured indicating device adapted to be moved past said sight opening for showing the several colours alternatively at said opening, a thermostatic element in position to be affected by the heat ot' the engine, l00se connecting means between said thermostatic element and said indicating means for giving said indicating means an operative movement at a prcdetermined maximum temperature, and yielding means for giving said indicating means an excess movement at each actuation in either direction beyond that induced by the. thermostatic element.

15. A. temperature indicator for automobiles comprising a part having a sight opening therein, a multi-coloured indicating plate pivotally mounted adjacent to said sight opening and adapted to be swung thereby for showing the several colours alternatively, an expansible drum in position to be affected by the heat of the engine, a volatile liquid in said drum adapted to be volatilized at a temperature slightly belowthat of steam, a rod adapted to be moved longitudinally by the expansion and contraction of said drum, a pin carried by said late,,a loop on the end of said rod adapted by contact with said pin toswing said plate, and a spring adapted to give said plate a quick movement independently of said rod when the plate has ,been'moved in either direction out of a past-center locked position with respect to the spring. 16. A temperature indicator for automobiles, comprising athermostatic element in position to be affected by the heat of the engine, a visual signal device having two fixed positions, means for yieldably holding the device in one or the other of these positions, and connections between the thermostatic element and the signal for shiftin the sigposition totheother at a certain engine temperature.

17. A temperature indicator "for automobiles, comprising the radiator of an automobile in position to drum being readily expansible longitudinally, a volatile liquid in saiddrum, a reva circu'mferentially grooved drum carried by the filler cap of neiavaa plate a quick movement from one to another of its indicating positions.

18. A temperature indicator for automobile engine's consisting of a heat sensitive mechanism actuated on increase and decrease of the engine temperature to a critical temperature and inactive at other temperatures, which operates to display danger and safe signals at engine temperatures respectively above and below said critical temperature.

19. A temperature indicator for automo bile engines comprising a luminous signal, a heat sensitive element a two-position memher, and means connecting said member and element whereby the member is moved quickly by said heat sensitive element from one position to the other at determinate engine temperatures but is inactive at other-temperatures to cause said luminous signal to be made visible or invisible. V

20. A temperature indicator for an automobile engine having a circulatoryv fluid cooling system comprising a thermostatic element disposed. to beaflected by the heat of' said circulating fluid, an indicating means, and means actuated by said thermostatic element but only on rise and fall of the temperature of said fluid to above or below a critical temperature, which operates said indicating means to display danger and safe signals at temperatures respectively above and below said critical temperature.

21. A. temperature indicator for an automobile engine having a, circulatory fluid cooling system, comprising a thermostatic element disposed to be aflected by the heat of said circulating fluid, and a spring actuated member tripped by said thermostatic element on rise and fall of the temperature of the circulating fluid to determinate points so as to be moved back and forth from one position to the other to indicate normal and abnormal temperature conditions of the engine.

22. A temperature indicator for engines comprising an expansible drum in position to be afiected by the heat of the engine, a volatile fluid in said drum, movable indicating means and means interposed between said drum and said indicating means adapted at a predetermined point in the expansion of said drum to give said indicating means a quick mdvement to the limit of its motion in one direction and at a predetermined point in the contraction of said drum to give said indicatingmeans a quick movement to the limit ofits motion in the opposite direction. 7

23. A temperature indicator'for engines comprising a movable indicating device, a

comprising a pivoted indicating device, a.

heat sensitive element subject to temperature changes of the engine having a lost motion connection with said indicating device tor moving the same inltially from either of its extreme positions,'and' a spring connected with said indicating device so as to be out of line with the center of rotation thereof when the device is in either extreme position which acts upon said device when initially moved as aforesaid, to quickly move the same to its other extreme position.

25. A temperature indicator for automobile engines comprising a signal, a heat sensitive element, and mechanism actuated by said heat sensitive element on increase and decrease of the engine temperature to determinate points, and inactive at other temperatures, to cause said signal to be made visible and invisible at temperatures respectively below and above said critical temperatures.

26.'A temperature indicator for automobile engines comprising a casing having a sight'opening, a signal movable in the easing to or from a position wherein it is visible through the sight opening, a heat sensitive element, and mechanism actuated by said heat sensitive element on increase or decrease of the engine temperature to determi- 'nate points, and inactive at other temperatures, to move said signal quickly to or from a visible position. v

'27. A temperature indicator for automobile'engines comprising a casing having a sight opening, a signal movable in the easing to or from a position wherein it is visible through the sight opening, a heat sensitive element and operatlng means including a lost-motion connect on between the signal and heat sensitive element said meansbeing actuated by a substantially continuous movement of the heat sensitive element in response to temperature changes to cause a quick movement of the signal from one position to the other at a determinate temperature v 28. A temperature indicator for automobile engines comprising a casing having a sight opening, a member movable in the casing to different distinct positions so as to selectively display at the sight opening one of a plurality of different visual signals, a heat sensitive element, and means actuated by the heat sensitive element for shifting the movable member at determinate temperatures to change the signal visible through the sight opening.

29. A temperature indicator for automobile engines comprising a heat sensitive element in position to'be affected by the heat of the engine, movable indicating means adapted to display a plurality of distinct signals, and operating means movable by the heat sensitive element and including a spring and a lost-motion connection between the heat sensitive element and the indicating means, whereby continuous movement of the heat sensitive element will cause the indicating means to be quickly moved from one indicating position to another.

3O. A temperature indicator for automobile engines comprising a casing having a sight opening, a member movable in the casing so as to bring one of a plurality of different signals into a visible position at the sight opening, a heat sensitive element, and operating means including a lost-motion connection between the movable member and heat sensitive element, whereby continuous movement of the means in response to temperature changes will cause the signals to be successively displayed, but one signal will remain visible at the sight opening'throughout a determined range of temperatures.

31. A temperature indicatoufor automobile engines comprising a casinghaving a sight opening, a shutter in the casing embodying a plurality of color screens adapted to be alternatively brought into view, at the sight opening, a heat sensitive element, and operating means including a lost-motion connection between the heat sensitive element and the shutter, whereby movement of the element in response to temperature changes will cause the color screens to be successively displayed at predetermined eng ne temperatures CLAYTON A. ,DUNHAM.

GERTFIIIFHQATE @PF GQRRIEC'IFWN. raieii Ne; i, 6i3,745, gremedlfariimry ii, W27.

I fie @LAY'HKDN A. DUNHAM.

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Signed] and seaieii iinis 22ml iiey ei February, A. D. 11927.

M. J. Meere, eeia Aeiirig Gemmissierier ei Peieriis 

